I did the inventory of acrylic materials that I got from Dr. Carpenter, and it's a good haul! I need to actually TEST the materials to ensure they are good, but I think acrylic is pretty robust. Also I need to test a theory on how to ensure the darned stuff gets poured all the way into the tips of the teeth -- even poured very thin, it tends to not get into the tips. In some cases, I suspect capillary action, but I've also taken steps to avoid that.
Maybe when I review the three books he lent me, I'll find more tips and tricks. Those orthodontists cheat; they start with pre-cast teeth and just do the gums and plate!
Another Wednesday was consumed in meetings, this time a general SCARE meeting, plus board of directors meeting. We are making great progress! Also, we have an amazing trailer video now:
http://tinyurl.com/n4c8xu
Work on the Goblin Systems timing and control modules is working apace; this programming and electronics stuff is very time consuming. Rushing through some of the development, and being done with infinite distractions, has cost me a prototype PCB cycle (oops, bad chip definition!). However, the new PCBs are coming tomorrow, and I also have an upgraded MCU set (added a dollar to double the RAM/ROM) in a box at home waiting for it.
Today's big news on the Goblin front is that I'm sending and receiving complex commands between timing modules now.
Last Saturday, I got a lifecast of my lovely self, and the mold is now sitting on a table waiting for me to pour plaster into it.
Sunday, I did pour plaster into Nathan's mold. Actually, I laid up a shell of burlap and ultracal 30 along the mold, then filled it with giant chunks of foam and THEN poured plaster into it. Trying to alleviate the weight; I only used 75lbs of plaster, instead of 150lbs.
However, the shell phase of the process made a pretty poor outer skin; lots of bubbles. These are on non-critical areas (I cast the face solid), and I will fix them tonight... but still, it lacks perfection.
After doing Nathan up stone solid, I ran over to the Lodge for our Kickoff and Casting event -- good turnout, and I got some great names of people who can do work in the FX area. I'm excited to have new help!
Last night I spent a few hours at the Lab, under my new extended Lab time model, and made the molds for four sets of teeth plus did the first-pass cleanup work on my monster fangs of doom.
Tasks in planning or in process include the vacuum table (Paul's taken the lead on that), the vortex tunnel (parts are there waiting for some structural tests), and the Demon's stilts (plus we have a new, experienced, player in that game, Eric Peterson, to help me and Paul). Exciting!
Posted by Edwin at August 5, 2009 02:23 PM